Ok in the past year i have replaced 2 alternators. i'm on my third one right now. It's whining and probably about to go out anytime. I did have a sound system in my car but it wasnt nothing big. maybe 800 watts at the most. It was installed correctly and all. It just made my lights dim horribly. Now on my third on i took it all out and have my factory stuff in . I see the alternator is lasting longer buti knowits gointo go out if i attempt to put any kind of system in it. I realllly want a system in my car i love it and have all the stuff to put in it. CAn any suggest what my problem might be.

 

actually im getting my alternator serviced tommorow morning. I have the same whining noise and the guy told me that my diodes are out of phase so hes going to change them along with brushes.

 

Actually my friend and I have both had our alternators replaced on our '97s. I think it might be a general problem with the car, but I don't know what it would have to do with your system(maybe bad installation, bad ground or battery connections). Sorry I can't be of anymore help.

 

did you ever find out what was the exact cause for the alternators to break? I also heard that 97s have bad alternators and were trying to recall them

 

Like i said i have had 2 replaced and about to have the third. I dad the mechanic check my electrical system and he says its fine. I hope he actually did check it. As for my system it was all installed correctly and i had a good ground in my trunk where installers told me to have it. I had a 50 amp fuse on my power wire which never blew so i know my system wasnt drawing too much current to cause it to go dead. I either got some bad alternators or there is a wiring problem under my hood.

 

I have never heard of a recall, but we both drove our cars untill the alternator quit(luckilly we were both at home when it wouldn't start). Does anybody have any info on a recall, maybe me and JMAXIMA can get our cash back.

 

It wasnt recalled but it was discussed about it
http://autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?p..._code=01627685

 

Well, **** no extra cash for me. As far as the alternator mine never made any sound it just gave out( not sure about JMAXIMA I can ask him or you can PM or E-mail him). Sounds like your stuff was done correctly but I have always done stereo/system installation myself or under close supervision of a friend. I wouls have somebody recheck your wireing.

 

did your battery lights turn on??? mine has been whining for a while but the battery light just came on recently - the battery is a month old btw

 

The battery light means you alternator is about to go out.
mine came on both times mine went out. Andas soon as it pops up again, i'm goin back to the mechanic.